Cracker’s arrival & the school of hard knocks

Cracker arrived today! He was one of three kittens from a litter born at the dairy farm just up the road (where Marlee’s granddad works!). They were a bit of a surprise, so no-one was sure what their fate was going to be. But June stepped in to take on one, a tiny ginger bundle of fur, while Marlee’s granddad took another and Debbie across the road took on a tortoiseshell. The ginger and tortie both got seasonal names – Cracker and Sprout! Marlee called hers Buster.

Cracker might be absolutely tiny, but he’s already proving that he’s got an enormous attitude! He made it clear that he did NOT enjoy being put in a cat cage over night when he first arrived. It was for his own safety, but his protesting yowls could be heard from the yard gate! After a few nights he was allowed out and he’s become the first to greet you as soon as he hears the gate swing open! He loves nothing more than climbing up your leg, and he loves Paul, my boyfriend. Paul managed to do all the pooh picking in the field the other day with Cracker directing operations from his shoulder.

But it hasn’t all been fun and games for Cracker. He’s taken to nipping into Zano’s stable – he’s decided that it’s the nicest toilet at the yard. After he’s done what he needs to, he doesn’t disappear but loiters for a while. He has a wander round, hangs off Zano’s tail and pounces on stray hay strands hiding in the shavings. Zano’s very curious about him. But Cracker’s taken a while to realise that Zano’s interest is based on whether Cracker’s edible or not. Cracker’s managed to bob out of the way most of the time, but the other day he was a bit slow. He was springing about by the hay bar, then wandered across the front of the open stable door. Zano followed his every move, muzzle close to the ground to get a good sniff. The next second Zano’s mouth opened and his teeth closed around Cracker’s teeny (but apparently appetising) tail. A pitiful wail broke the stable’s peace. It took me less than a second to persuade Zano to release his prize. I think he realised at the same moment that Cracker’s ginger tail wasn’t a mobile carrot after all! Cracker’s tail was damp, but otherwise undamaged – nothing that a big cuddle and a lick of a chocolate biscuit didn’t cure, anyway.

He’s also learnt that snow is f-f-f-reezing on teeny pink puds and that Eric’s too old to play tag with!

Megan, Cracker and Zano in the snow

Oh, and we’ve just found out that Cracker may, in fact, be a little girl! The first at the stables! Either way, she’s the most delightful little playmate and a wonderful addition to an already perfect yard.